First, Sandra Day O'Connor: An Intimate Portrait of the First Woman Supreme Court Justice, Evan Thomas, 2019. New York: Random House. Hard Cover. 405 narrative pages plus photographs, footnotes, and Index. $21.42 on Prime. Kindle: $14.99

In the center of the book's jacket cover is a commanding picture of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. She's dressed in her judicial robe with lace collar, and her photograph makes you want to open this book. The 15 chapters will hold your attention, as the author weaves the incredible story of the brilliant woman who became the first female Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Her story is mesmerizing, as you will learn about her professional roles in the field of law, which in her time was a primarily male domain. You'll also get to know Justice O'Connor as a daughter, wife, mother, teacher, athlete, and friend. You'll come to understand why so many people liked her.

So why should you, as a nurse leader, want to read this attorney's biography, beyond your interest in its historical value? For me, it was because it shares the example of Justice O'Connor's authentic leadership and courage. Although this is not a leadership book, the leadership lessons are numerous. Justice O'Connor's story is inspirational to anyone who wants to improve the world. She had to overcome many glass ceilings as well as the institutional bias against women. In fact, the only job offer she received after graduating law school was as a secretary. It took perseverance, hard work, and talent for her to grow her career all the way to her Supreme Court appointment by President Ronald Reagan.

The author carefully weaves in the personal story of Justice O'Connor throughout, including her life in Arizona and her years at Stanford Law School. The book begins with Sandra Day growing up on her father's 8000-acre ranch in Arizona, the Lazy B, which was worked by a group of cowboys, and had very few modern conveniences. Her life on the ranch is followed by other experiences as a woman, a wife, a mother, an athlete, a brilliant lawyer, a legislator, and a judge. Through discussions of many Supreme Court decisions, we learn how the court works and how justices arrive at their opinions.

The story of Justice O'Connor's life can help reveal insight for the many situations nurses find in themselves today. Some of us have experienced, or are experiencing conscious or unconscious bias because of our gender, race, culture, or profession. We need courage to overcome these so that we can continue our nursing quest to create a healthier world for everyone. Whether you are a nurse leader who took on the challenges of leadership, or, like me, after years of leadership work, came back to the bedside to care for a family member, this book can serve as impetus for reflection. You may be a lifelong front-line, hands-on caregiver, or an RN CEO, a legal nurse expert, an entrepreneur extraordinaire, a Dean, a US Congresswoman, a Partner in a major firm, a US Army General, or a scientist. You may be a trailblazer: the first nurse practitioner in your clinic; the first leader to achieve Magnet in your system; the first nurse to get an award usually given to a physician; or the first accountant to become a nurse who cares for patients via Helicopter in the outskirts of Alaska. Whatever adventure you undertake, you will always be a nurse. You bring skills from the bedside to each situation, no matter what paths you take or whatever industry you choose. When you read this book, you will recognize parallels to own experiences in the life lessons of Justice O'Connor.

As I read this book, I thought about the many nurse leaders I have come to admire, and the attributes they share with Justice O'Connor. These include:

* Having vision and a philosophy that carry them through life. Justice O'Connor believed strongly in the constitution and the law, but she recognized and considered the effect of law on people. Nurses strive to maintain our professional standards of care, while putting the patient first.

* Being whole people who integrate a personal life with a professional one. Justice O'Connor, when asked, "how do you balance family and career," she answered, "you do both."

* Using political astuteness to create change, rather than becoming a politician.

* Building knowledge through lifelong learning.

* Managing your stars (members of your team). Giving a helping hand to those who are trying to succeed in their journey.

* Building relationships. (No, you don't have to go out for beers with the guys over lunch if you don't want to.)

* Being humble and showing up. (Even if your first job as judge is in an office in the basement, you do an outstanding job.)

* Speaking up even when someone decides you are "just a woman" or "just a nurse."

* Facing your own personal battles with courage and grace such as Justice O'Connor did when she was diagnosed with cancer.

* Being a listener to whomever you encounter.

You can read this book in a binge read, or as I did, one chapter at a time, reflecting on how I can be better at what I do because great women and people have gone before me. (This book is also good for male nurses. They, too, face gender issues and bias, as nurses.) Justice O'Connor never let gender dictate who she was or what she could do. I recommend this book because it is a good read that blends history, politics, the law, life, and an especially likeable subject.

Note: I met Justice O'Connor at the Supreme Court. I also exercised with her in the exercise class she initiated for all female employees of the Supreme Court. And, I told her how healthy she was. I immediately wondered if I should have said that to a Supreme Court Justice. On reflection, I decided it was, indeed, right for me to talk about health and wellness. After all, I am, and always will be, a nurse.

-Elizabeth (Betty) Falter, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC